Xiaolongnü (simplified Chinese: 小龙女; traditional Chinese: 小龍女; Mandarin Pinyin: Xiăo Lóng Nǚ; Jyutping: Siu2 Lung4 Neoi5) is the fictional female protagonist of the Wuxia novel The Return of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong.
It is believed that the name of Xiaolongnü (literally "Little Dragon Maiden") is taken from the year that she is born in - the Chinese zodiac Her real name is unknown and is never mentioned in the novel; she is simply known as Xiaolongnü (to other people) or Long'er (to Yang Guo, her teacher and Granny Sun).
Xiaolongnü was abandoned as an infant outside Chongyang Palace (headquarters of the Quanzhen Sect) by an unknown figure. Her cries broke the silence of the night and drew the attention of the Quanzhen priests. Before the priests could decide what to do with the baby girl as the sect does not accept female members, a middle-aged woman known as Granny Sun appeared and took the baby girl away with her to the nearby Ancient Tomb.
Xiaolongnü is raised as a disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect by the disciple of Lin Chaoying, the sect's founder. As a child, she was taught all the sect's martial arts and mastered all of them after many years. She starts learning the sect's highest order skill Jade Maiden Heart Manual, but since her teacher's understanding of the skill was incomplete, her own understanding is even more limited.
Xiaolongnü has a older disciple sister called Li Mochou, who was expelled from the sect for poor conduct. After Li left, Xiaolongnü is made the successor to the sect's position of leader. Unlike Li, Xiaolongnü never left the tomb and grows up to be an innocent, seemingly vulnerable great beauty with inborn calmness, coldness (to the point of being unsociable), incurious and emotionless characteristics.Evidently, these are the prerequisites to master the martial arts which Li lacked. She wears white long dresses which makes her pale and bloodless features appear even paler and distinctively prettier.
Xiaolongnü inherited the sect's leadership position when she was 14 after her teacher died. She is accompanied by Granny Sun only. Meanwhile, Li Mochou spread rumours in the Jianghu that when Xiaolongnü turned 18, she will offer her hand in marriage to any man who can defeat her. In addition, the lucky man will claim possession of the tomb, rumored to contain great treasures and martial arts scriptures. The Mongol prince Huodu believes the tale and journeys to the Ancient Tomb, hoping to meet Xiaolongnü. He brings his lackeys and they raid Chongyang Palace along the way. Coincidentally, Guo Jing arrives at Chongyang Palace together with Yang Guo and he drives
As Yang Guo's teacher and lover
Xiaolongnü meets Yang Guo for the first time when he ventures into the Ancient Tomb while escaping from the bullies at Quanzhen Sect. However, she does not allow him to stay and asks Granny Sun to send him back to Quanzhen and tell the Quanzhen priests not to mistreat him anymore.
However, the Quanzhen priests begin insulting Yang when they see him return. Sun is furious and she fights with them. She is mortally wounded by Hao Datong of Quanzhen. At the critical moment, Xiaolongnü appears and defeats Hao. Before her death, Sun makes Xiaolongnü promise her to take care of Yang. She wants both of them, orphans, to have each other as companions after her death. The Quanzhen priests oblige and allow Yang to leave with Xiaolongnü.
Xiaolongnü accepts Yang as her disciple and they live together in the Ancient Tomb for several years. During these years, Xiaolongnü imparts most of her martial arts and skills to Yang. Yang does not like to address her as "Teacher" or "Master" and prefers to call her "Aunt" (姑姑) instead. Both of them fall in love with each other but their relationship is viewed as taboo and equivalent to incest in the Confucianist society of China at that time. They encounter several tribulations after leaving the tomb and numerous tests of their love for each other. Although they are eventually married in Chongyang Palace, they are separated for 16 years later until their final reunion at the end of the novel.
Martial arts and skills
- Jade Maiden Heart Sutra (玉女心經)
- Jade Maiden Swordplay (玉女素心劍法)
- Fist of Beauties (美女拳法)
- Palm of Infinity Web (天羅地網式)
- Qinggong of the Ancient Tomb Sect (古墓派輕功)
- Technique of Ambidexterity (雙手互搏)
- Nine Yin Manual (九陰真經)
Qinggong literally means "light body skill" the ability to move swiftly and lightly at superhuman speed, perform gravity-defying moves such as gliding on water surfaces, scaling high walls, mounting trees, appearing as though they can fly
Inventory
Gloves of White Silver
Xiaolongnü wears a pair of gloves made from white silver. It is said that no sharp weapons and blades are able to penetrate them. As such, Xiaolongnü can grab hold of enemies' weapons and break them.
Long Sash of Gold Bells
Xiaolongnü's weapon. She uses her skills to manipulate this long and flexible weapon for both long and short distance attacks. Two gold bells are tied at each end of the sash and hidden in the sleeves. The bells are only unsheathed by flapping the sleeves. The rhythmic and random ringing sound of the bells serve as distraction while the bells are used to attack the enemy's exposed acupuncture points and stun them.Gold Needles of Jade Bee
This dart-throwing technique is one of the traditional skills of the Ancient Tomb Sect. The poison of a rare breed of bees known as the Jade Bees, is carefully coated onto needles made from heavy gold and steel. The needles are fired towards an enemy just like dart-throwing. The degree of poison is higher than Li Mochou's "Soul Freezing Needles" as the poison causes excruciating pain to the enemy and eventual death after a long period of time. The cure to the poison is the Jade Bee's honey, which has health benefits too.Jade Bees
The Jade Bees (玉蜂) are Xiaolongnü's only "living" weapon. The special breed of bees can make formations and attack enemies when instructed by playing a musical instrument, rhythmic whistles and honey. Xiaolongnü plays the guqin to instruct the bees and she also carries a bottle of honey with her.
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